I haven't go the confidence in the XT to go out on the icy roads yet as the bike is new to me and only ridden it once in the past couple of weeks, although I have been riding for a number of years on sports bikes and Harley Davidsons.
So I can't be much help to you on this one I'm afraid.
The Harley is so heavy I would have the confidence in a head on with a bus though. LOL.
On other bikes I have owned with a much lower centre of gravity I am fine but on the XT660X I need some more saddle time before I brave the colder icier and foggier days like today.
Good luck out there and ride safe....